Family links mean day of unity

CELEBRATION: Mike Baker celebrates his Maori and European heritage during Waitangi Day. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 050214SP1

Waitangi Day has a special meaning for Mike Baker.

The Rotorua resident is proud to be a direct descendant of both a Ngapuhi chief who signed the Treaty of Waitangi and one of the first European families to settle in New Zealand.

"For me, Waitangi Day is about unity, respect and embracing each other's culture," Mr Baker said.

"I am very proud of my heritage and I've been to Waitangi several times and it overwhelms you, the feeling that knowing your ancestors on both sides were part of such a big event."

Mr Baker is an assistant chaplin at the Rotorua Hospital. He is a descendant of Te Kemara Kaiteke, an uncle of Hone Heke and the 19th chief to sign the Treaty. On his European side, he is a descendant of Amy Hansen, whose father Thomas Hansen captained the ship Active which sailed from England to New Zealand in 1814. The ship was also carrying Reverend Samuel Marsden.

"People wouldn't think I'm Maori because I'm white and when I went up to Te Tii Marae and up top to the Waitangi Marae, a woman came up to me and said, 'Welcome to my marae.' I had to correct her and say, 'Welcome, to our marae'," Mr Baker said.

"I am proud to be both Maori and European and my dream is that as a country we can live our lives as one. There are issues that still need to be addressed but likewise people still need to be open minded, if we keep thinking we're losing out ... we're stuck and aren't moving forward."

While Waitangi Day is about family history for Mr Baker, there is still work to be done.

"I feel for the people up in the dialysis unit in hospital who can't celebrate the day, so I will still be there with them doing God's work," he said.